Classes & Workshops

Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.

The Loudoun County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension will offer a Virginia Gardener Shortcourse. The Shortcourse is a condensed version of the training that Trainees who are new members of the Master Gardener Volunteer program receive. The Shortcourse is held in the Loudoun Cooperative Extension conference room at 30-B Catoctin Circle, SE (Wachovia Bank Building), Leesburg. The sessions are from 6-8:30 p.m. and are spread throughout the year. Dates for this year are: Nov. 8. Participants may sign up for individual sessions or for all eight. Contact Debbie D. Dillion at 703-771-5838 or ddillion@vt.edu.

The Leesburg Police Department and the Loudoun County Gang Response Intervention Team (GRIT) are teaming up to host a training for parents regarding Internet safety for children. The class will be held Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Leesburg Police Department beginning at 6 p.m., with dinner provided. To RSVP, contact Ed Ryan with GRIT at 703-777-0241.

Artist Sara Linda Poly will teach a two-day workshop at the Loudoun Academy of the Arts in Leesburg, Nov. 10 and 11, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days and early registration is encouraged. The workshop will concentrate on simplifying nature’s complex elements. Students will explore their personal reactions to the landscape while learning more about light patterns, perspective, color and value.

The Loudoun Academy of the Arts Foundation is a 501c3 organization offering fine art instruction, gallery exhibition space and studios for practicing artists. It is located at 222 South King St., Leesburg. Visit www.loudounacademy.org or 703-777-8043.

Art of Babywearing: History and How-To's Saturday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m., at the Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Nicole Schauder will describe the history and benefits of babywearing. Different methods will be demonstrated. Recommended for adults and their babies. Register in advance at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call 444-3228.

Adult Computer Classes will be offered at the Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. All classes are held on Mondays and go from 7-8:30 p.m. Microsoft Excel classes are on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19; the cost is $59. Microsoft PowerPoint is held on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3. Cost is $59. Pre-registration is required for all classes. In addition, a $10 materials fee will be collected at the first class. Call Lenda Buchanan at 703-430-6673 or e-mail lbuchana@loudoun.gov.

Round dancing class forming Monday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, S.E., Leesburg. A round dance class is forming and at least six couples are needed to begin a class. Round dancing is partner dancing, similar to ballroom, but less emphasis on "lead and follow." Contact Beaux and Belles at rdrt4kl@cox.net.